Electrode holder for use with an electroencephalograph



Jan. 20, 1970 R. ROLSTON 3,490,439

ELECTRODE HOLDER FOR USE WITH AN ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH Filed July so, 1965 Fig. 2 M

INVENTOR Dale R. Ra/sfan United States Patent US. Cl. 1282.1 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrode holder for anelectroencephalograph and the like, comprising: a nonrigid flexible band forming strip at least a portion of which is stretchable, and a pair of generally parallel nonrigid flexible straps which extend between opposite sides of the band forming strip in a bowed configuration when assembled. A number of electrodes are secured to the band and to the' parallel straps, and the band forming strip preferably includes-a number of extra perforations therethrough for adding other electrodes. The parallel straps are preferably held in generally parallel relationship by a plurality of nonstretchable transverse strips of flexible materialopposite ends of which are attached to electrodes. In the preferred embodiment, the opposite ends of the band forming strip are made nonstretchable and have perforations therethrough for insertion over electrodes located at opposite ends 'of one of the nonstretchable strips connecting the parallel bands to secure the electrode holder in assembled relationship,

This invention relates to caps, and more particularly, to a cap for use with an electroencephalograph.

For the benefit of those who are not experienced in the medical arts and the like, it is herein explained that an electroencephalograph is an instrument for recording the electric activity of the brain by means of electrodes attached to the :surface of the scalp. The instrument is used in the diagnosis of epilepsy, trauma, tumors, and the degenerations fof the brain.

Since the electroencephalograph is not an actual part of this invention, no description of its construction nor the method of its operation need be given in this specification.

There are a number of caps already on the market for use with an electroencephalograph. However, they all have certain limitations and objectionable features, well known to anyone who has used an electroencephalograph.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide a cap for an EEG, the recognized and oflicial abbreviation for an electroencephalograph, that requires a minimum number of adjustments, if any; and which can be placed on the head of the patient in a few seconds. All caps now on the market require approximately twelve minutes to be placed on the head.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cap for an EEG that has interchangeable electrodes that can be moved about without any difiiculty.

Another object of this inventoin is to provide a cap for an EEG that needs only to be made in three different sizes in order to fit the head of any person on earth.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cap for an EEG that has plastic electrodeholders that can be purchased separately should one be broken or need to be replaced for any other reason.

Still another object of this invention is to providea cap for an EEG that is easier to manufacture, and is, therefore, a cap that can be retailed at a price below any other EEG cap, a most important factor since most, if not all, medical equipment is expensive.

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A still further object of this invention is to provide a cap for an EEG that not only is economical, but is also efficient and durable.

The foregoing and other objects will be more apparent from reading the specification in conjunction with the drawings forming a part thereof, wherein;

FIGURE 1 is a bottom view of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of this invention, taken substantially along line 21-2 of FIGURE 1, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of this invention, taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

In the drawing where like members are given the same reference numbers, the reference number 5 indicates a rubber strip or band that. is preferably two-ply material having a plurality of equally spaced openings 6 therein through which is placed the tubular body 7 of the electrodes 8. Each electrode 8 comprises the aforesaid tubular body 7 on the inner end of which is secured the spherically-shaped ocean sponge 9. This ocean sponge 9 is'covered with mylum dental cloth 10 which is held in place on the inner end of the aforesaid tubular body 7 by means of the rubber band 11. The previously mentioned tubular body is preferably made from aluminum tubing, having a peripheral recess near each end, as clearly shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawing.

Looking now at FIGURE 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that this invention-is provided with a connecting strip of plastic 12 which helps to hold the aforesaid rubber strip or band 5 in an almost round shape that will encompass a portion of ones'head when the cap is placed on the same. Each end of the aforesaid plastic strip 12 is provided with an opening through which passes one of the tubular bodies 7 of" an electrode 8, which also passes through an opening in the rubberv strip 5.

Two other rubber strips or hands, 13 and 14, each having a plurality of equally spaced openings 15 therein, are secured by their ends to the aforesaid strip or band 5 by the previously mentioned electrodes 8, as clearly shown in the drawing.

The just mentioned rubber strips or bands, 13 and 14, are also provided with a plurality of electrodes 8, as well as being connected together by a pair of coii'necting strips of plastic, 16 and 17, and a third piece of rectangular plastic 18, having an electrode 20 in the'approxi-mate center thereof. A front strip of plastic 21, as well as two side strips 22 and 23 of the same material, go to make up this complete cap for an EEG.

It is obvious from the above detailed description of the construction of this invention that this device can be adjusted to fit ones head by having the tubular body 7 of the electrodes 8 placed through whatever openings one may desire in the rubber strips or bands that go to make up the body structure of this novel cap used with an electroencephalograph.

The way in which this invention is used is naturally known to those experienced in the operation of an elec troencephalograph as this cap is used only for this one purpose which is in a highly specialized field of science.

Changes in the selection of material from which this invention is made, as well as its detailed configuration and general construction of its parts and assembly may vary in so long as the completed invention falls within the scope and intent of the appended claims as the invention shown in the drawing is merely illustrative of my preferred form of the device and is not in any way to be construed as binding the cap to this exact illustrated configuration.

Having thus described my invention, what I now claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrode holder for an electroencephalograph and the like which assures uniform contact of multiple electrodes with irregular body surfaces, said holder comprising: limp body conforming band means forming at least a portion of which is elastic, a pair of generally parallel straps of limp strip material extending in bowed configuration across said band forming means, means supporting said pair of parallel straps in generally parallel relationship, a plurality of electrode supports secured to said band forming means and parallel straps, and a plurality of electrodes on said supports with the contact ends of said electrodes being positioned inwardly thereof, and whereby said electrodes are biased into body engaging contact by said elastic band means.

2. The electrode holder of claim 1 wherein said band forming means and said pair of straps are a flexible and stretchable material.

3. The electrode holder of claim 1 wherein said band forming means includes a nonstretchable strap portion bridging said parallel straps.

4. The electrode holder of claim 1 wherein at least portions of said band forming means and parallel strips include perforations therethrough at intervals for the addition of other electrodes.

5. The electrode holder of claim 3 wherein said means supporting said parallel straps in generally parallel relationship comprises a plurality of generally parallel nonstretchable straps, and electrodes are secured to opposite ends of said nonstretchable straps.

6. The electrode holder of claim 3 wherein the major portion of said band forming means comprises a nonrigid band forming strip portion having end portions with perforations therethrough at spaced intervals, and wherein posts project outwardly of opposite ends of said nonstretchable strap portion for insertion through said perforations in respective ends of said nonrigid band forming strip portion.

7. The electrode holder of claim 6 wherein said posts are electrodes. i

8. An electrode holder for an electroencephalograph and the like which assures uniform contact of multiple electrodes with irregular body surfaces, said holder comprising: a limp body conforming band forming strip at least a portion of which is elastic, said strip having free ends and a plurality of perforations therethrough at spaced intervals, said band forming strip being adapted to encompass a persons head'when placed thereon; a pair of generally parallel limp straps the forward end of each of which are connected to the middle portion of said band forming strip, a plurality of electrodes respective ones of which project through respective perforations in said band forming strip and straps' with the contact ends of said electrodes facing inwardly, and a plurality of nonstretchable spacer strips bridging said parallel straps between electrodes, said free ends of said band forming strip being nonstretchable and having spaced openings therethrough for receiving electrodes in opposite ends of one of said spacer strips to hold the electrode holder in assembled relationship.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 999,945 2,426,958 9/1947 Ulett et al'. l282.1 2,549,836 4/1951 McIntyre et a1. 1282.16 2,943,627 7/1960 Howell 128-416 WILLIAM E. KAMM, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

8/1911 Aub 128410 

